On Monday (May 19), Dylan Gossett announced the dates and details of The Westward Tour, which marks the biggest headlining tour yet for the Texas-born singer-songwriter. The 29-date jaunt will be in support of Gossett’s upcoming debut album, Westward, which is scheduled for release on July 18. The tour will kick off in Birmingham, Alabama, on September 11, and finishes on December 6 in Las Vegas, stopping in major cities like Brooklyn, Boston, Los Angeles, and Denver along the way, with special performances at Austin City Limits in October. In addition to his major tour, Gossett will also be making his Grand Ole Opry debut on June 4, a career milestone for the rising country star before he launches the 7-date The American Trail Tour with the Kruse Brothers in July. Tickets for The Westward Tour go on sale on Thursday, May 22. (All Country News)

Scotty McCreery has collaborated with Hootie & the Blowfish to blend their 1994 breakthrough hit, "Hold My Hand," with his new single, "Bottle Rockets." During a snowbound writing retreat, McCreery and his team crafted the track while thinking about summers at the beach. “I had mentioned how much I loved Hootie & the Blowfish, and Frank [Rogers] knew exactly what to do with that,” McCreery says. “We started strumming the tune that would eventually become ‘Bottle Rockets,’ and at the end of the makeshift chorus, Frank went into ‘Hold My Hand.’ It fit like a glove. We knew we were on to something. The song really just spilled out from there.” All four Hootie members took part in reworking their debut single for the new collaboration, with drummer Jim “Soni” Sonefeld sharing: “I was certainly intrigued to see how ‘Hold My Hand’ would be woven into a contemporary song. It truly sounds like all the parts were meant to be together when you hear the single.” (Billboard)

Dolly Parton and Eric Church were included in Time's first TIME100 Philanthropy List, with both country stars acknowledged for their dedication to generosity while helping shape the future of giving. Parton is recognized within the "Titans" category, with the music legend celebrated for her longstanding charitable work through the Dollywood Foundation, which focuses on helping her home state of Tennessee while extending her charitable efforts globally. Church is honored  as a "Trailblazer," due to his commitment to aiding North Carolina residents after the region was devastated by Hurricane Helene. Church is celebrated for spearheading the Concert for Carolina with Luke Combs, which raised over $24 million, and initiating a rebuilding program for community restoration and housing for affected families. Time's inaugural TIME100 Philanthropy List was published on Tuesday (May 20), and it also recognizes musical theater star Lin-Manuel Miranda, actors Michael Sheen and Mariska Hargitay, skateboarding legend Tony Hawk, and many others. (Taste of Country)

During Morgan Wallen’s headlining set on Sunday night (May 18) at his inaugural Sand in My Boots music festival, the country music superstar hinted that he might just put on another event in the future. "Me and a couple of my closest friends and teammates have been throwing around the idea of throwing a music festival for a long time now,” Wallen said. “And with a lot of hard work and a lot of really great artists, we got to make that happen.” Following a huge ovation from the sold-out crowd, Wallen added, "Alright cool. We'll try and do it again sometime." During his set – where he was joined by Bailey Zimmerman and ERNEST – Wallen debuted a series of new songs from his just-released album, I'm the Problem, which dropped on the opening night of the festival on Friday (May 16). Wallen will launch his I'm the Problem Tour on June 20 at NRG Stadium in Houston, with a series of opening acts joining him on select dates including Brooks & Dunn, Miranda Lambert, and Thomas Rhett. (People)

Luke Combs is collaborating with Jon Bellion on their tender new duet, "Why," with both the country music star and the pop singer-songwriter sharing teasers of their new track on their respective social media channels on Monday (May 19). The song features a departure from Combs' traditional sound with poppier production, but aligns with his recent focus on more mature and introspective lyrical themes. While Combs plans to take a break from touring in 2025 to spend time with his young family, the two-time CMA Entertainer of the Year has also recently hinted that he is working on new music and preparing for a major tour in 2026. No official release date for "Why" has been announced at this point, with no word yet about whose project will eventually feature the emotional collaboration. Though Bellion’s teaser post lists the track as “Why” (featuring Luke Combs), which suggests that the song will eventually be included on the pop star’s future release. (Taste of Country)

Rising country star Lauren Watkins is currently on the road supporting Zach Top on his Cold Beer and Country Music Tour. During their final show together on Saturday night (May 17) in Indianapolis, Top surprised Watkins with some incredible news. “Before you go anywhere, we’ve got something very special to announce tonight,” Top said. “Miss Lauren Watkins is gonna be making her Grand Ole Opry debut on June 20… you’re gonna kill it.” Watkins shared the emotional moment in an Instagram post following the show, writing: “I’ve been waiting a long time for this exact moment and it couldn’t have been more special. I love country music with all my heart and it is the biggest honor to get to play the Grand Ole Opry on June 20th!” Watkins also revealed that she will be sharing her new single, “I’ll Get Through It,” on May 30. “This is a fun one, I’m so excited for y’all to hear it,” she wrote. “Cheers to more songs in 2025!” (Holler)

Alan Jackson played his final concert on his Last Call: One More for the Road Tour in Milwaukee on Saturday (May 17), marking the end of the country music legend’s 30-year touring career. Jackson is retiring from the road due to the effects of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, a nerve disorder that he was diagnosed with four years ago that is impairing his performance. “Y’all may have heard that I’m kinda winding down. In fact, this is my last roadshow of my career,” Jackson said as the crowd cheered in support. “I appreciate it. Y’all gonna make me tear up out here. Thank you all so much for all your support of my music and attending my shows.” The singer then made a surprise announcement of one last special show he has in the works. “We’re planning on doing a big finale show in Nashville next summer sometime. I just felt like I had to end it all where it all started, and that’s in Nashville, Tennessee," he said. "I've got to do my last one there.” (People)

Jelly Roll was joined by special guest Eminem for a surprise performance of the rapper’s 2002 Oscar-winning hit, "Lose Yourself," at Detroit's Ford Field on Sunday night (May 18). Jelly started the song on his own before Em joined him during the second verse, with the duo joining together on the track’s rousing chorus. “Detroit, what up?! Make some noise for Jelly Roll!” Eminem said to the crowd as he was leaving the stage. “Long time, no see. I love y’all. Peace!” Jelly Roll was clearly thrilled to collaborate with the rap superstar in his home city, announcing to the audience, “If you can’t tell, that was a childhood dream come fu**ing true, Detroit. This is the greatest show I’ve ever had in my fu**ing life,” while adding that Eminem’s music “helped me through the darkest moments of my life.” The show was part of Post Malone’s ongoing Big Ass Stadium Tour, which is set to hit U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on Tuesday (May 20). (Rolling Stone)

In a new interview with People, Nate Smith reveals how he has shed 55 lbs without dieting by making small lifestyle changes, like reducing his alcohol consumption while increasing his protein intake. The 39-year-old country star, known for hits like "Whiskey on You" and "World on Fire," admits that his success in the music industry encouraged him to lead a self-destructive lifestyle. "Last year and the year before were a blur," admits Smith. “I was drunk so often at shows. I was trying to find an escape, and literally that was my thing. It was the funnest time of my life, but I didn't realize I was killing myself. You can't party every day. It has to be a treat, especially if you want to be here for the long haul." Being diagnosed with a respiratory infection led Smith to adjust his diet and make better life choices, which has caused him to feel happier and more confident. "I’m not even close to my goal," Smith admits, "but I'm way happier where I'm at, and I feel better about the way I look." (People)

Sam Hunt's "Country House" rises two places this week to reach No. 10 on Billboard's Country Airplay chart, marking his 13th career Top 10 hit. The song was co-written by Hunt, Ross Copperman, Michael Lotten, and Josh Osborne, and is included in his recent release, Locked Up. Hunt, a native of Cedartown, Georgia, has a successful history on the charts, with multiple No. 1 hits like "Outskirts," "23," and his crossover smash, "Body Like a Back Road." Hunt is currently on tour, and is next set to perform at the Gulf Coast Jam in Panama City, Florida. Meanwhile, Morgan Wallen continues to dominate Country Airplay with his current hit, "I'm the Problem," holding the No. 1 spot on the chart for a fifth consecutive week. This marks the third chart-topper from his album of the same name, joining “Love Somebody” and “Lies Lies Lies.”  Wallen’s latest single, "Just in Case," is also making a notable climb on the chart, reaching a peak of No. 15 this week. (Billboard)

During an appearance on The Today Show on Friday (May 16), Trisha Yearwood shared a story about being discouraged from songwriting at the age of 19 by an offhand comment from a man. “Bless his heart. I’m sure he probably wouldn’t even remember ever saying it, but… I was 19 years old. And I gave him a bunch of poetry,” Yearwood recalls. “Everybody in Nashville’s writing. I was in college. He just said, ‘Yeah, you’re a good singer, but you’re not really a writer.’ And I just let it be the truth for 40 years.” The 60-year-old country star is now set to release her first album of co-written songs, The Mirror, in July, with Yearwood crediting a fresh, new perspective which led her to start writing for herself. “I had this kind of ‘a ha’ moment. I turned 60 last year, and I highly recommend it. Everything sort of opened up,” she said. “I just thought, ‘That doesn’t have to be the truth about me just because somebody says it.’ And I started writing for me.” (People)

Morgan Wallen's fourth studio album, I'm the Problem, was just released on Friday (May 16), and the album has already scored record-breaking streaming numbers on Spotify, Amazon Music, and Apple Music. The 37-track album – released by Big Loud/Mercury – also set new records for the most streamed country album in 2025 on Spotify and Amazon Music, with Billboard confirming its status as the biggest country album of the year by first-day streams. “Morgan Wallen just made country history—again,” Spotify shared on X on Friday. I’m the Problem features high-profile collaborations with artists like Tate McRae, Eric Church, HARDY, ERNEST, and Post Malone, along with a series of previously released chart-topping singles from the album. On the same day that his new album dropped, the country superstar also launched his inaugural Sand in My Boots Festival in Gulf Shores, Alabama, with the three-day event boasting a lineup featuring Wallen alongside fellow headliners Brooks & Dunn and Post Malone, joined by HARDY, Riley Green, Ella Langley, and Bailey Zimmerman. (Billboard)

Sleep Token’s Even in Arcadia debuts at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart, marking the English rock band’s first career chart-topping album as well as their initial appearance in the Top 10. Even in Acadia also claims the biggest week by units for any rock album in nearly a year, and the biggest for any hard rock album in two years, while setting a record for the largest streaming week ever for a hard rock album. Kali Uchis also made a strong debut on this week’s Billboard 200, as Sincerely, premieres at No. 2, becoming the singer’s third Top 10-charting record of her career. Elsewhere in the Billboard 200 Top 10, SZA’s SOS holds at No. 3, Morgan Wallen’s One Thing at a Time remains at No. 4, PARTYNEXTDOOR and Drake’s $ome $exy $ongs 4 U climbs up two places to No. 5, Fuerza Regida’s 111XPANTIA drops four spots to No. 6, Kendrick Lamar’s GNX slides down two spots to No. 7, Sabrina Carpenter’s Short n’ Sweet falls 6-8, The Weeknd’s Hurry Up Tomorrow vaults up 18 places to reach No. 9 due to the release of new CD and vinyl editions of the album, and Bad Bunny’s Debí Tirar Más Fotos falls 9 places to No. 10. (Billboard)

Over the past year, Hudson Westbrook rose to fame with hits like "Take It Slow" and "House Again." In a new interview with People, the 20-year-old country music sensation reflects on his whirlwind success, while also sharing the helpful advice he received from Miranda Lambert. "She was like, 'Just do your own thing and don't worry about all the side stuff. Make your art and go do the things around your art that you need to do. And don't ever change who you were before,'" Westbrook recalls, before adding, "She's incredible." Only 10 months removed from dropping out of Texas Tech University during his freshman year, Westbrook is readying his forthcoming debut album, while also preparing to hit the road in support of Parker McCollum this summer. "I make sure to be real,” Westbrook says. “There's a type of music that I wanted to hear, and I've never been able to hear it. So, I just decided to make it." (People)

Billboard Country Live is set to host another two-day event in Nashville, with this year’s festivities set to take place on June 5-6 at Luke Combs’ Category 10. The celebration will include a showcase concert on Thursday (June 5) presenting live performances by rising country artists Alexandra Kay, Ashley Cooke, Drew Baldridge, Max McNown, and Reyna Roberts. Billboard will also be hosting a video lounge where Major League Baseball will film exclusive interviews with country stars who are featured in players’ walk-up songs. The event will continue with a second evening of music on Friday (June 6), with the night's theme of "Country on the Rise," which will showcase an array of artists representing the future of the genre. That lineup will be announced in the coming weeks. (Billboard)

Morgan Wallen’s inaugural Sand In My Boots Festival will officially kick off this weekend in Gulf Shores, Alabama, running from May 16-18. The fest coincides with the release of Wallen’s highly-anticipated new album, I’m the Problem, which dropped on Friday (May 16). Wallen will be joined by fellow headliners Post Malone and Brooks & Dunn, along with fellow country stars Ella Langley, Hardy, Ernest, Riley Green, and Bailey Zimmerman, rappers Wiz Khalifa, 2 Chainz, and BigXThaPlug, and indie rock bands The War on Drugs and Real Estate. “When the idea of Sand in My Boots started becoming a reality, it was extremely important to me to build a festival of artists that I enjoy and listen to regularly,” Wallen says. “Having a blend of different genres was exciting and I hope fans feel the same way.” The event quickly sold out all 40,000 tickets within two hours, with $3 from every ticket going to the Morgan Wallen Foundation, which supports sports and music programs for youths. (Billboard)

On Thursday (May 15), CBS shared the first glimpse of their upcoming reality music competition series, The Road, which was created by Yellowstone mastermind Taylor Sheridan and country superstar Blake Shelton. The 12 competing musicians on the show will face a unique challenge as they perform a series of opening sets for Keith Urban while touring through seven mid-size venues in Texas, Oklahoma, and Tennessee, culminating in a finale at Nashville’s legendary Ryman Auditorium. The show offers a fresh take on singing competitions by immersing aspiring artists in high-pressure performances to win over audiences and earn a spot in the lineup for the next town. With Urban, Shelton, and special guest “tour manager” Gretchen Wilson on board, The Road promises an exhilarating journey for viewers as they watch young musicians navigate the intense world of live performances. The Road does not have an official premiere date as of yet, but it will eventually air on CBS and stream on Paramount+. (Taste of Country)

During an appearance on Sharla McCoy's Buckin' Broadcast during ACM week, Ella Langley opened up about her struggles with mental health despite her recent success in her music career. The country star reflected on her challenging week leading up to the 60th ACM Awards, where she was the most nominated artist and won five awards, including New Female Artist of the Year, Single of the Year, and Visual Media of the Year. "I won't lie, this last week has been probably one of the toughest mental health weeks I've had in a long time," Langley shared. "Which is crazy because so many good things are happening, so many things I've prayed for, and dreamed about. Just because I might seem like on the top of the mountain right now, it doesn't look like that all the time. It is tough, but tough things are worth going through if you want them bad enough." (Audacy)

Post Malone is collaborating with Stanley 1913 for a limited-edition range of drinks tumblers, that are set to launch on June 16th. Fans can sign up now via the brand's website to secure items from the collection, which was teased through a playful Instagram video featuring the chart-topping country music superstar. “I’ve always been a big fan of Stanley 1913, so being able to collaborate with them has been awesome,” Post said in a statement. “The whole collection is badass. I’m excited for y’all to see what we made.” Kate Ridley, Stanley 1913's Chief Brand Officer, adds, “This partnership beautifully merges the innovative quality and creativity our community expects with Post's authentic and expressive modern country aesthetic. We've poured our combined love for style as personal expression into this collection, and we know our consumers will love it as much as we do.” Posty is currently on his Big Ass Stadium Tour with Jelly Roll, Sierra Ferrell, and Chandler Walters. which will hit Detroit on Sunday (May 18). (Holler)

During an appearance on Late Night with Seth Meyers on Tuesday (May 13), Reba McEntire revealed that she initially hesitated to join The Voice as a coach, having turned down the offer in the past due to not wanting to critique contestants harshly. “I was really dreading it at first because I don’t want to tell anybody they suck,” said McEntire. The 70-year-old country music superstar is set to return for season 28 of the singing competition show later this year with fellow coaches Snoop Dogg, Michael Bublé, and Niall Horan. “We’re nice people,” she said of the coaching crew. “We encourage. We lift up.” Despite her busy schedule with The Voice, acting on the sitcom Happy’s Place, and hosting the 2025 ACM Awards, McEntire continues to celebrate her remarkable 50-year career in country music, recently releasing a new single titled “Trailblazer” featuring Miranda Lambert and Lainey Wilson. (People)